Photographic printing system and method for application of multiple masks in coloring refractory metals

ABSTRACT

A photographic printing system for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging is provided. The system comprises a plurality of film masks and a metal plate. Registration marks are formed in each of the film masks and the metal plate for aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controlling the color application in multicolored line art images. A method for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a photographic printing system andmethod for application of multiple masks in coloring refractory metalsand, more particularly, the invention relates to the preciseregistration of subsequent masks for controlled multicolored line artimages and using color separation techniques to produce photographic orblended tone gradients and images.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A process is known for creating a mask using the dry film process as aresist in coloring refractory metals. For instance, the Rjumshina et alpatent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,263, describes a polychromatic image formedon the surface of an article by depositing on a solid dielectric layer athin film of a unilaterally-conductive metal or alloy thereof followedby dividing the film into separate areas in conformity with the shape ofthe picture to be reproduced. Nothing in the Rjumshina et al patent,however, describes subsequent masks and the alignment of any subsequentmasks for controlled multicolored line art images.

Since the Rjumshina et al patent, there has been a shift in theadvancement of computer technology. Specifically, Adobe introduced AdobePhotoshop around 1990. In version 3 of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe introducedthe ability to use layers to create separate, multiple images that stackupon one another and could be manipulated independently to generate filmpositives. This allows for the generation of multiple, aligned line artimages that can generate film positives for use in the wet and dry filmprocess. Further, to create the appearance of four color processprinting, Photoshop has the ability to color separate an image using the“Indexed” color space. This method of color separation is different thanthe common, widely used method in traditional color printing. IndexedColor separates color based on user defined tones and the number oftones, which can be much greater than four. Additionally, each colorlayer is rendered as square dots. For instance, when a traditional colormagazine print is viewed through small magnification, colored round dotsare visible with white space as the background. The illusion of morethat four colors is achieved through the close proximity and overlappingof these dots. Indexed color achieves its illusion of many colors onlythrough the close proximity of dots and, in dense color areas, placesthese dots directly next to one another as in a mosaic using squaretiles. Indexed color does not overlap dots, lending itself ideally tothe anodization process since no intermediate color is achieved throughoverlapping as in traditional offset printing.

Unfortunately, while Adobe Photoshop satisfactory aligns layers on thepixel level, it is difficult, if not impossible to transfer thisprecision to multiple film positives for controlled multicolored lineart images and color separation techniques to produce photographic orblended tone gradients and images.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a photographic printing system andmethod for application of multiple masks in coloring refractory metalshaving precise registration of subsequent masks for controlledmulticolored line art images. Additionally, a need exists for aphotographic printing system and method using color separationtechniques to produce photographic or blended tone gradients and images.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a photographic printing system for anodizingcoloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging. The systemcomprises a plurality of film masks and a metal plate. Registrationmarks are formed in each of the film masks and the metal plate foraligning the film masks and the metal plate for controlling the colorapplication in multicolored line art images.

The present invention further includes a method for anodizing coloringrefractory metals using computer graphic imaging. The method comprisesproviding a metal plate, applying a plurality of film masks to the metalplate, and aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controllingthe color application in multicolored line art images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a photographicprinting system and method for application of multiple masks in coloringrefractory metals, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a photographic printing system and method forapplication of multiple masks in coloring refractory metals. The presentinvention applies multiple masks to color refractory metals throughanodization with precise registration, including process color.

In offset, four color printing, color separations are made to give theillusion of continuous tone, photographic images using only four colorsof ink. Other printing systems including Hexachrome using six colors orfour colors plus one or more spot colors can also be used. This samephotographic image can be achieved through an entirely different methodof the present invention of color separation and assigned to dry or wetfilm masks to anodize refractory metals. The method of the presentapplication is accurate to at least 85 dpi, similar to the resolution ofcolor newspaper printing.

In the practice, a mask resists the anodization process and can beremoved to add additional masks to create additional image layers. Thesystem of the present invention uses multiple masks to color metals. Thesystem of the present invention allows for 1) the precise registrationof subsequent masks for controlled multicolored line art images and 2)using color separation techniques to produce photographic or blendedtone gradients and images. It should be noted that while the presentinvention has been described for coloring metals, it is within the scopeof the present invention to color other materials.

The system and method of the present invention utilizes registrationmarks placed on each film layer for aligning the film layers in adesired manner. While Photoshop does a good job of aligning layers onthe pixel level, the ability to transfer this precision to filmpositives is achieved by the inclusion of registration marks placed oneach film layer, as described herein. A jig is fabricated on a mill tohold the necessary tolerances. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the jigconsists of a board 1 receiving the metal plate 2 with a smallregistration pin 3 in each of the four corners, if it is rectilinear, tocorrespond to the registration marks 6 on the film 4, 5. The dimensionsof the centerlines 7 of the holes are then used to punch holes in themetal and the film on the mill so that the application of each filmlayer to the metal is accurately aligned. This method works for bothline art and the indexed color separation process. It is possible usingthese techniques to use many other methods of rendering color areas,i.e. posterizing, mezzotinting, etc. but the ability to register themaccurately all reduces to the method above.

After the anodizing is complete, the borders of the metal plate aresheared off leaving no trace of the registration holes. For imageslarger than a single plate can contain, an image is broken up intoseparate panels and tiled to any size.

It is within the scope of the present invention to create a variation onthe above method to create a flat frame with the pins in its cornerssuch that the anodization plate could drop into. Use of the Photoshopprogram for layering is just one program that uses the technique oflayers and the use of other computer programs is within the scope of thepresent invention.

In addition, other techniques are within the scope of the presentapplication to include a variation in approach to building amulticolored anodized image using the dry or wet film process. If theresolution of the desired image is sufficiently low, it is possible toalign the film positives generated from either a color separated or lineart image by the creation of registration marks on each set of film thatare then used to visually align one layer at a time to build thenecessary number of color layers. This could also be accomplished byprinting the outline of the border of the plate to be colored on eachfilm positive.

The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferredembodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawingsand described in detail, with varying modifications and alternativeembodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown,described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled inthe art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, andthat the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to theclaims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention asdisclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of thespecific elements which are disclosed herein.

1. A photographic printing system for anodizing coloring refractorymetals using computer graphic imaging, the system comprising: aplurality of film masks; a metal plate; and registration means formed ineach of the film masks and the metal plate for aligning the film masksand the metal plate for controlling the color application inmulticolored line art images.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein theregistration means are a plate aperture formed in the metal plate andfilm apertures formed in each of the film masks.
 3. The system of claim2 wherein the metal plate and the film masks are rectilinear, anaperture being formed in each of the four corners.
 4. The system ofclaim 2 and further comprising: a jig receiving the metal plate, themetal plate having a plate aperture in each of the four cornerscorresponding to film apertures on the film masks; wherein thecenterlines of the plate apertures are used to align the film aperturessuch that the application of each film layer to the metal plate isaligned in a desired configuration.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein thephotographic printing system can be used for both line art and theindexed color separation process.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein theanodization techniques are selected from the group consisting ofposterizing and mezzotinting.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein uponcompletion of the anodization, borders on the metal plate are removedthereby removing the registration means.
 8. The system of claim 1wherein for images larger than a single sheet, the image is separatedinto separate panels and tiled to a desired size.
 9. The system of claim1 wherein the registration means are pins formed in each of the cornersof the metal plate.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein each film mask isaligned individually one at a time to construct the necessary number ofcolor layers.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the registration meansincludes printing the outline of the border of the plate to be coloredon each film mask positive.
 12. A method for anodizing coloringrefractory metals using computer graphic imaging, the method comprising:providing a metal plate; applying a plurality of film masks to the metalplate; and aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controllingthe color application in multicolored line art images.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 and further comprising: forming a plate aperture in the metalplate; forming film apertures in each of the film masks; and aligningthe film apertures with the plate aperture.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the metal plate and the film masks are rectilinear, and furthercomprising: forming an aperture in each of the four corners.
 15. Themethod of claim 12 and further comprising: using both line art and theindexed color separation process.
 16. The method of claim 12 and furthercomprising: selecting the anodization techniques from the groupconsisting of posterizing and mezzotinting.
 17. The method of claim 12and further comprising: upon completion of the anodization, removingborders on the film masks thereby removing the registration means. 18.The method of claim 12 and further comprising: separating the image isseparated into separate panels and tiled to a desired size.
 19. Themethod of claim 12 and further comprising: forming pins in each of thecorners of the metal plate.
 20. The method of claim 12 and furthercomprising: aligning each film mask individually one at a time toconstruct the necessary number of color layers.